Chapter III Black Pine Management Area 19

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Management Area 19 Black Pine

MANAGEMENT AREA DESCRIPTION

Management Prescriptions - Management Area 19 has the following management prescriptions (see map on preceding page for distribution of prescriptions).

Percent of Management Prescription Category (MPC) Mgt. Area 2.2 – Research Natural Areas Trace 3.2 – Active Restoration and Maintenance of Aquatic, Terrestrial & Hydrologic Resources 59 6.1 – Restoration and Maintenance Emphasis within Shrubland & Grassland Landscapes 41

General Location and Description - Management Area 19 is comprised of Forest Service lands in the Black Pine Mountain Range (see map, preceding page), which lies at the eastern end of Cassia County, Idaho. The Minidoka Ranger District administers this area. There are many small communities in the vicinity, but the nearest towns of any size are Burley to the northwest and Snowville, Utah to the southeast. The management area is an estimated 76,800 acres, which includes several small private inholdings totaling nearly 2,900 acres, or less than 4 percent of the whole area. Most of the area is bordered by private ranches or land administered by the BLM. Much of the private land has been converted to agriculture. The primary uses and activities in this management area are livestock grazing, timber management, dispersed recreation (mainly hunting), and mining.

Access - The main access to the area from the east is via Interstate 84 between Burley, Idaho and Snowville, Utah, from the west along Highway 30 south of Malta, Idaho, and from the south via Curlew Junction and Forest Road 586. Roads within the management area are rough and native- surfaced, and access the lower slopes and canyons. From mid-slope to the ridgelines, there are no roads due to the steep, rugged terrain. The density of classified roads is estimated at 1.3 miles per square mile. Total road density for area subwatersheds ranges between 0.7 and 2.1 miles per square mile. There are relatively few maintained trails in the area, and most are used primarily for livestock movement and hunting.

Special Features - This management area is valued for a high-quality mule deer hunt, and valuable winter range for this species. The Black Pine Inventoried Roadless Area comprises an estimated 57 percent of the management area. The Pole Canyon Research Natural Area (165 acres) has been established east of Black Pine Peak to preserve a representation of Douglas-fir, subalpine fir, and aspen forest communities, as well as big sagebrush and black sagebrush communities.

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Air Quality - This management area lies within Montana/Idaho Airshed ID-25 and in Cassia County. Particulate matter is the primary pollutant of concern related to Forest management. The closest ambient air monitor is located in Twin Falls. It is used to obtain current background levels, trends, and seasonal patterns of particulate matter. There are no Class I areas within 100 kilometers of this management area.

Between 1995 and 1999, emissions trends in Cassia County improved for PM 10, while PM 2.5 emissions remained constant. The most common source of particulate matter in the county was fugitive dust from unpaved roads and agricultural activities such as tilling. In addition to Forest management activities, crop residue and ditch burning may contribute to particulate matter emissions. The amount of agricultural-related burning was among the highest in the state, with over 22,500 acres. There were no point sources located within Cassia County.

Soil, Water, Riparian, and Aquatic Resources - Elevations range from 5,023 at Point Springs to 9,386 feet at Black Pine Peak. Management Area 19 is predominantly in the Humboldt River High Plateau subsection, and the dominant landforms are fluvial mountains, plateaus and escarpments, and depositional lands. Slope gradients range from 40 to 70 percent on the fluvial mountains, from 0 to 30 percent on the plateaus and depositional lands, to near vertical on the escarpments. The surface geology is predominantly sedimentary rock in the west, and metamorphic sediments and granitic rock in the east. Soils in the area generally have low to moderate erosion potential, and moderate to low productivity. Subwatershed vulnerability ratings are all low in this area (see table below). Geomorphic Integrity ratings for the subwatersheds vary from moderate (functioning at risk) to low (not functioning appropriately), with the majority being moderate (see table below). Localized areas have impacts from roads, livestock grazing, and dispersed recreation. Impacts include accelerated erosion, upland compaction, and stream bank and channel modification.

The management area has portions of six watersheds that drain into two subbasins. The western half of the area drains west into the Raft River Subbasin and then north into the Snake River Basin. The eastern portion of the area drains east into the Curlew Valley Subbasin and then south into the Great Salt Lake Basin. There are only two perennial streams, both in the western portion of the area, Eightmile Creek and Sixmile Creek. Sixmile Creek flows into a small reservoir that is used for irrigation below the Forest boundary. Most canyons feature intermittent streams that flow only during spring snowmelt and periods of severe or sustained thunderstorms in the summer months. Water Quality Integrity ratings for the subwatersheds vary from high (functioning appropriately) to moderate (functioning at risk), with the majority being moderate (see table below). Some areas have localized accelerated sediment from roads, livestock grazing, and dispersed recreation. There currently are no stream reaches listed as impaired water bodies under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, and no TMDL-assigned subwatersheds associated with this management area.

Subwatershed Geomorphic Water No. Vulnerability Integrity Quality Integrity No. No. Subs Public 303(d) With Water High Mod. Low High Mod. Low High Mod. Low Subs TMDLs System Subs 0 0 15 0 12 3 1 14 0 0 0 0

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No threatened or endangered fish species occur in Management Area 19. Both Sixmile and Eightmile Creeks are known to support Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The Eightmile population is believed to be a genetically pure strain of cutthroat that was native to the upper Snake River and Yellowstone River drainages. Sixmile Reservoir, an impoundment within the Sixmile Creek drainage, contains rainbow and cutthroat trout. Fish habitat is non-existent elsewhere due to the small size and intermittent nature of area streams. Aquatic habitat is functioning at risk in some areas due to localized sedimentation impacts. Native cutthroat trout populations in Sixmile Creek are at risk due to introduced rainbow trout. The West Dry-Eightmile-Fisher subwatershed has been identified as important to maintaining or restoring strong populations of Yellowstone cutthroat trout. This subwatershed is therefore a high-priority area for restoration.

Vegetation - Vegetation within this area includes sagebrush/grasslands, and juniper, aspen, Douglas-fir, and subalpine fir trees. Douglas-fir and subalpine fir are generally confined to north and east exposures at the higher elevations. The sagebrush and juniper cover about half the entire area, with sagebrush occurring predominantly on south and west exposures that are lower in elevation. The sagebrush communities transition to juniper in the higher foothills. Mountain brush occurs on the northeast end of the area. The remaining area supports small patches of aspen and mountain mahogany.

An estimated 88 percent of the management area is non-forested, or covered by grasslands, shrublands, meadows, rock, or water. Much of this area is comprised of the Mountain Big Sagebrush, Basin Big Sage, Montane Shrub, and Perennial Grass Slopes vegetation groups. The main forested vegetation groups are Pinyon-Juniper (2 percent), Aspen (1 percent), and Cool Dry Douglas-Fir (9 percent). Aspen is a minor component in the Cool Dry Douglas-Fir group.

The Montane Shrub group is functioning properly, although the herbaceous component could be increased to enhance diversity. The Mountain Big Sagebrush, Basin Big Sage, and Perennial Grass Slopes are functioning at risk in some areas due to fire exclusion and livestock grazing impacts, which have altered structure and species composition. Fire exclusion has allowed canopy cover to increase, which has reduced the understory herbaceous cover.

The Cool Dry Douglas-Fir group is not functioning properly in some areas where fire exclusion has resulted in older, more decadent stands with more climax subalpine fir and Douglas-fir and less seral species, particularly lodgepole pine and aspen. Fire hazard is increasing in conifer stands due to increasing mortality from insect and disease infestations. An estimated 40 percent of the Douglas-fir has been lost in the last 15 years. Aspen is functioning properly. The Pinyon- Juniper group is functioning at risk due to fire exclusion and grazing impacts that have allowed older stands to dominate, with fewer younger trees and herbaceous plants than desirable.

Riparian vegetation is functioning at risk in localized areas due to impacts from livestock grazing, roads, dispersed recreation, and fire exclusion. In some areas, introduced grasses and noxious weeds are replacing native plants. Aspen and willow communities are becoming old and decadent, and are not regenerating due to fire exclusion and livestock use. Snag levels are at historic levels in most areas due to limited access for fuelwood gathering and high tree mortality in the 1980s and 1990s.

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Botanical Resources - Desert buckwheat, a current Region 4 Sensitive species, is found in this management area. No federally listed or proposed plant species are known to occur in the area, but potential habitat exists for Ute ladies’-tresses and slender moonwort. Ute ladies’-tresses, a Threatened species, may have moderate potential habitat in riparian/wetland areas from 1,000 to 7,000 feet. Slender moonwort, a Candidate species, may occur in moderate to higher elevation grasslands, meadows, small openings in spruce and lodgepole pine, and open rocky outcrops.

Non-native Plants – Canada thistle is found in many drainages. Dyer’s woad, spotted knapweed, black henbane, whitetop, and musk thistle have also been found in areas surrounding Forest Service lands, and pose a major threat of invasion. The main weeds of concern are Canada thistle and dyer’s woad, which currently occur in small, scattered populations. An estimated 22 percent of the management area is highly susceptible to noxious weed and exotic plants establishment and spread.

The Hutchey-Mortenson subwatershed has an inherently high risk of weed establishment and spread from road-related activities. This risk is due to the amount of drainage area that is highly susceptible to noxious weed invasion and the relatively high level of exposure from road-related vectors or carriers of weed seed.

Wildlife Resources - Bald eagles sometimes winter in the Sixmile and Eightmile drainages adjacent to the Forest boundary on BLM and private lands. No winter roosting sites are known to occur on National Forest land. Region 4 sensitive species that may occur in the area are northern goshawk, Townsend's big-eared bat, flammulated owl, and Columbia sharp-tailed grouse. The area is within lynx habitat as identified in the Canadian Lynx Conservation Assessment and Strategy (2000). The northeastern section of this management area provides habitat for Columbia sharp-tailed grouse. Several active leks exist within the area. Other wildlife species occurring in the area are elk, mule deer, mountain lion, antelope, bobcat, sage grouse, ferruginous hawk, Swainson's hawk, golden eagle, blue grouse, and many migratory land birds. Elk use the area primarily as summer range and appear to be increasing in the area. The area provides mule deer winter range and supports possibly the highest number of wintering mule deer on the Sawtooth National Forest. Mountain lion appear to be increasing in the area. Blue grouse rely heavily on the Douglas-fir stands for cover and food. Terrestrial habitat is functioning at risk in some areas due to localized impacts to mule deer habitat, including the off- Forest interstate highway that has fragmented historic migration routes. Otherwise, the level of human disturbance is generally low, and habitat fragmentation from roads, development, and fire is low.

Recreation Resources - There are no developed recreation sites in this management area. The area provides dispersed recreational opportunities mostly associated with hunting, off road vehicle use, gold mining, and dispersed camping. The area is in Idaho Fish and Game Management Unit 57. Limited fishing opportunities occur at Sixmile Reservoir within the Sixmile Creek drainage. One maintained trail, War Eagle Peak, exists within the area, and is six miles in length. It has been used by sheepherders for years and is now attracting some interest as a hiking trail. Most of the users come from small local communities, as well as the Burley/Rupert area. The mule deer hunt attracts people from out of state, and deer hunting

III - 304 Chapter III Black Pine Management Area 19 accounts for the majority of recreational activity in the area. The northeast portion of the area that can be viewed from Interstate 84 is considered visually sensitive. There is a special use authorization for one outfitter and guide operation for deer and mountain lion hunting.

Cultural Resources - Cultural themes in this area include prehistoric, ranching, timber, mining, and Forest Service Administration. There are a number of historic and prehistoric sites located throughout the area that have potential for interpretation. Grazing associated with homesteading and ranching at the edge of the area occurred historically, as well as wood and pole cutting, primarily by Utah residents. Sawmills were located in a few of the drainages. Mining exploration occurred historically. An area of historic interest is the Forest Service Gunnel Administrative Site.

Timberland Resources - Of the estimated 7,200 tentatively suited acres in this management area, 1,000 acres have been identified as being suited timberlands, or appropriate for timber production. This represents about 1 percent of the Forest’s suited timberland acres. The suited timberland acres are found in MPC 6.1, as shown on the map displaying the MPCs for this management area. Lands within MPCs 2.2 and 3.2 are identified as not suited for timber production. Some small-scale logging has been done in association with local mining activities. Larger sawtimber sales were prepared in the past but did not sell due to economic conditions. The Black Pine Salvage Sale was implemented in 1993. Another salvage sale in 1994 removed significant portions of insect-killed trees in the northeast portion of the area. Some short, local roads were developed for each of these projects. Dead trees designated for salvage in Sixmile and Kelsaw Canyons were never harvested. These stands may be available for fuelwood in the future. Post and pole sales, and fuelwood are available in designated areas.

Rangeland Resources - The management area contains all or portions of six cattle allotments and one sheep allotment involving an estimated 16,600 acres of capable rangeland, which represents about 3 percent of capable rangeland on the Forest. This area has limited sources of water, and several extensive pipeline systems, troughs, and wildlife watering devices have been installed to distribute water. Other activities include fencing and revegetation. Some introduced grass species have been planted on lower portions of the area to improve livestock grazing.

Mineral Resources - The first mining claims were recorded in the area beginning in 1880. Major mineral development has occurred in the Black Pine Mine area, which is in the final stages of reclamation. While current mining activity is low to non-existent in this management area, many claims still exist and the potential for future development is considered low to moderate.

Fire Management - Prescribed fire has been used to improve habitat and watershed conditions in selected areas. An estimated 8,000 acres burned in the northern portion of the management area in 1999 and 2000. This is about 10 percent of the area. There are no National Fire Plan communities or wildland-urban interface subwatersheds in the area. Historical fire regimes for the area are estimated to be 3 percent lethal and 97 percent mixed1 or 2. None of the area

III - 305 Chapter III Black Pine Management Area 19 regimes has vegetation conditions that are highly departed from their historical range. However, 19 percent of the area regimes have vegetation conditions that are moderately departed from their historical range. Wildfire in these areas may result in larger patch sizes of high intensity or severity.

Lands and Special Uses - The Forest Service maintains one RAWS (fire weather) station within this management area, as well as a repeater for Forest communications.

MANAGEMENT DIRECTION

In addition to Forest-wide Goals, Objectives, Standards, and Guidelines that provide direction for all management areas, the following direction has been developed specifically for this area.

Resource/Program Direction Number Management Direction Description Mechanical vegetation treatments, salvage harvest, prescribed fire, General and wildland fire use may only be used to maintain values for which 1901 Standard the area was established, or to achieve other objectives that are consistent with the RNA establishment record or management plan. MPC 2.2 Road construction or reconstruction may only occur where needed: Research Natural Road a) To provide access related to reserved or outstanding rights, or 1902 Areas Standard b) To respond to statute or treaty, or c) To maintain the values for which the RNA was established. The full range of fire suppression strategies may be used to suppress Fire 1903 wildfires. Fire suppression strategies and tactics should minimize Guideline impacts to the values for which the RNA was established. Management actions, including salvage harvest, may only degrade aquatic, terrestrial, and watershed resource conditions in the General 1904 temporary (up to 3 years) or short-term (3-15 years) time periods, and Standard must be designed to avoid degradation of existing conditions in the long-term (greater than 15 years). Vegetative restoration or maintenance treatments, including wildland fire use, mechanical, and prescribed fire, may only occur where they: a) Maintain or restore water quality needed to fully support MPC 3.2 beneficial uses and habitat for native and desired non-native fish Vegetation Active Restoration 1905 species; or Standard and Maintenance of b) Maintain or restore habitat for native and desired non-native Aquatic, Terrestrial, wildlife and plant species; or and Hydrologic c) Reduce risk of impacts from wildland fire to human life, Resources structures, and investments. Road construction or reconstruction may only occur where needed: a) To provide access related to reserved or outstanding rights, or b) To respond to statute or treaty, or Road c) To support aquatic, terrestrial, and watershed restoration 1906 Standard activities, or d) To address immediate response situations where, if the action is not taken, unacceptable impacts to hydrologic, aquatic, riparian or terrestrial resources, or health and safety, would result.

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Resource/Program Direction Number Management Direction Description The full range of fire suppression strategies may be used to suppress Fire MPC 3.2 1907 wildfires. Emphasize suppression strategies and tactics that minimize Guideline impacts on aquatic, terrestrial, or watershed resources. The full range of vegetation treatment activities may be used to restore Vegetation or maintain desired vegetation and fuel conditions. The available 1908 Guideline vegetation treatment activities include wildland fire use. Salvage MPC 6.1 harvest may also occur. Restoration and Road construction or reconstruction may occur where needed: Maintenance a) To provide access related to reserved or outstanding rights, or Emphasis within Road b) To respond to statute or treaty, or 1909 Shrubland and Guideline c) To achieve restoration and maintenance objectives for vegetation, Grassland water quality, aquatic habitat, or terrestrial habitat; or Landscapes d) To meet access and travel management objectives. The full range of fire suppression strategies may be used to suppress Fire 1910 wildfires. Emphasize strategies and tactics that minimize impacts to Guideline habitats, developments, and investments. Restore soil ground cover and water quality in Kelsaw Canyon due to Objective 1911 1983-84 flood events. Reduce impacts from roads and grazing on the small but strong pure Soil, Water, strain population of cutthroat trout within the West Dry-Eightmile- Objective 1912 Riparian, and Fisher subwatershed. This includes maintaining the existing barrier to Aquatic Resources keep non-native fish from migrating upstream from private land. Maintain structures in Eightmile and Sixmile Creeks for pool habitat Objective 1913 and establishment of woody riparian components. Objective 1914 Maintain instream flows and existing pool structures in Sixmile Creek. Restore early seral aspen and Douglas -fir in the Cool Dry Douglas-Fir Objective 1915 vegetation group, as described in Appendix A. Restore and maintain desired size class structure and diversity in the Objective 1916 Aspen vegetation group, as described in Appendix A, by promoting regeneration. Restore canopy cover, as described in Appendix A, within the Objective 1917 Mountain Big Sagebrush and Pinyon-Juniper cover types in the Vegetation southern and western portions of the management area. Restore riparian vegetation and streambank stability by reducing soil compaction and accelerated sediment, and restoring herbaceous and Objective 1918 woody shrub composition in the Eightmile and Sixmile Creek drainages. Evaluate the need for sagebrush re-establishment in the northern Objective 1919 portion of the management area that burned in 1999 and 2000. Priority of vegetation treatments should be given to those areas Guideline 1920 containing big-game winter range. Maintain and restore populations and occupied habitats of TEPCS Objective 1921 species, including desert buckwheat, to contribute to their long-term viability of these species. Botanical Emphasize reducing Canada thistle, dyer’s woad, and other non-native Resources Objective 1922 species within TEPCS plant actual and potential habitat. Preserve botanical resources in the Pole Canyon RNA consistent with Objective 1923 the establishment guidelines.

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Resource/Program Direction Number Management Direction Description Coordinate grassland/shrubland restoration, riparian management, Botanical prescribed fire, and non-native plant eradication efforts with a Forest Guideline 1924 Resources Botanist to minimize impacts to TEPCS plant species, potential habitat, and pollinators. Contain existing spot areas of noxious weeds and prevent invader Non-native Objective 1925 species from becoming established, with emphasis on dyers woad and Plants Canada thistle. Maintain or restore sharp-tailed grouse habitat in Mineral Gulch and Objective 1926 the northeast corner of the management area. Provide blue grouse habitat by maintaining large mature Douglas -fir Objective 1927 to accommodate roosting. Maintain or restore bitterbrush and other shrubland communities for Wildlife Objective 1928 wintering wildlife on the southern and western portions of the Resources management area. Management actions in sage grouse habitat should be designed to meet the desired conditions for sagebrush, as described in Appendix A. Where greater than 40 percent of the sage grouse habitat in the Guideline 1929 management area has less than 10 percent canopy cover, management actions should be designed to maintain or restore canopy cover conditions. Achieve or maintain the following ROS strategy:

Percent of Mgt. Area ROS Class Summer Winter Recreation Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized 0% 29% Objective 1930 Resources Semi-Primitive Motorized 26% 71% Roaded Natural 4% 0% Roaded Modified 70% 0%

The above numbers reflect current travel regulations. These numbers may change as a result of future travel regulation planning Designate firewood-gathering areas in order to maintain snags and Objective 1931 large woody debris components for wildlife and aquatic habitat, and Timberland soil stability and productivity. Resources Provide for commercial harvest opportunities associated with Objective 1932 restoration activities to reduce fire and insect hazard in the management area. Whenever possible, modify developed springs and other water sources Rangeland Objective 1933 to restore natural free-flowing water and wet meadows in sage grouse Resources habitat. When constructing or reconstructing fences, design or relocate them to Guideline 1934 avoid potential sage grouse mortality near leks. Mineral Continue monitoring Black Pine Mine reclamation and closure. Objective 1935 Resources Identify areas appropriate for Wildland Fire Use. Use wildland fire to Fire Objective 1936 restore or maintain vegetative desired conditions and to reduce fuel Management loadings.

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Resource/Program Direction Number Management Direction Description Evaluate and incorporate methods to help prevent weed establishment and spread from road management activities in the Hutchey- Mortenson subwatershed. Methods to consider include: Ø When decommissioning roads, treat weeds before roads are made impassable. Facilities and Ø Schedule road maintenance activities when weeds are least likely Objective 1937 Roads to be viable or spread. Blade from least to most infested sites. Ø Consult or coordinate with the district noxious weed coordinator when scheduling road maintenance activities. Ø Periodically inspect road systems and rights of way. Ø Avoid accessing water for dust abatement through weed-infested sites, or utilize mitigation to minimize weed seed transport.

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